Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 for Dec. 10, 2025

Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | Dec. 10, 2025

Meeting Summary
The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education met on Tuesday, December 10, 2025, to handle significant financial and administrative business. The board officially approved the 2025 tax levy and Truth in Taxation certificate, setting the operating extension at approximately $16.7 million while planning for a future bond abatement to stabilize the tax rate.

Academics took center stage with a presentation on Spring 2025 assessment scores, revealing that three district schools achieved “Exemplary” status on the state report card. The board also handled routine business, including the acceptance of a mandatory 10-year safety survey and the approval of a legal settlement following a closed session.

News Briefs

Legal Settlement Approved:
Following a closed session, the board voted to approve a settlement agreement for Case No. 24-CV-12660. The motion was approved unanimously. No specific details regarding the nature of the litigation or the terms of the settlement were disclosed during the open portion of the meeting.

10-Year Safety Survey Accepted:
The board voted to accept the district’s 10-year Health/Life Safety Survey. Conducted by the architectural firm STR, the survey inspected Wilson Creek, Anna McDonald, and Manhattan Intermediate School to identify code compliance and safety issues. The report categorizes needs as urgent, required, or recommended and will now be submitted to the Regional Office of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education.

New ‘Board Book’ Software Coming:
Superintendent Dr. Damien Ahern announced that the district has acquired “Board Book Premiere,” a digital platform for managing board meetings. The software aims to increase transparency by allowing the public easier access to agendas and documents while reducing paper use. Board members and staff are scheduled for training next week, with full implementation targeted for February or March.

Condolences for Levina Family:
Dr. Ahern offered public condolences to the family of Manhattan firefighter Dylan Levina on the sudden loss of their two-year-old son, Paxton, earlier in the week. “Our thoughts are with him and his family during this very difficult time,” Ahern stated.

Personnel Changes:
The board approved several personnel actions, including the resignation of first-grade teacher Christine Kelso and the employment of Ashley DeGro as a temporary first-grade teacher at Wilson Creek. The board also approved the transfer of Tara Phillip from an instructional assistant position at Anna McDonald to Wilson Creek.